Welcome to the Bag It Resource Center
In addition to the tools and resources found in the Bag It bag, we’ve developed this comprehensive online Resource Center designed to be your starting point when you’re researching any of the many topics related to a cancer diagnosis. The Bag It Resource Center is continuously evaluated and updated to ensure we’re providing easy access to the best resources available.
Clinical Trials
Cancer clinical trials are research studies that involve people (volunteers) that participate in tests of drugs, procedures, devices or other therapies. There are strict rules in place to ensure the safety of the people participating in the trial. The findings could result in a better way to prevent, diagnose or treat cancer, improve cancer care or a person’s quality of life during or after treatment. Each clinical trial is different in its purpose, protocol, and eligibility requirements. Discuss with your doctor if a clinical trial could potentially be of benefit to you.
ASCO Cancer.net PRE-ACT – short videos about all aspects of clinical trials
ASCO Cancer.net Clinical Trials – general information about clinical trials
Clinical Trials.gov – government database lists publicly and privately supported clinical trials
National Cancer Institute Clinical Trials – general information and how to find clinical trials
The Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation
Caregivers and Family Resources
Some of these organizations provide direct support services, educational materials, practical tips and how-tos for caring for someone with cancer.
Others provide programs and resources specifically to ensure the health and well-being of care partners and loved ones, including support groups and professional one-on-one counseling.
Adventure Therapy Foundation – emotional restoration for families impacted by cancer
CancerCare – caregiver education and online support groups (general and cancer specific)
Camp Kesem – supports children through and beyond their parent’s cancer with fun year-round activities, events and a free weeklong summer camp
Caregiver Action Network – Caregiver Action Network listing: Education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers across the country free of charge, a caregiver help desk
Caring Bridge – communications platform that allows a family to provide health updates to their entire chosen personal community at one time….and receive supportive comments back in one place. Through the Planner, CaringBridge families can also digitally coordinate helpful tasks like meals, errands and even schedule Zoom calls
College Consultants Care – provides FREE college application assistance and financial aid planning to students diagnosed with cancer or have a parent diagnosed with cancer
EduMed – The Caregiver’s Handbook: An Online Resource for Caring for a Loved One
Family Caregiver Alliance – caregiver education, online support groups
Help for Cancer Caregivers – personal caregiver guide
Jack’s Caregiver Coalition – improving the way guys think, feel, and act through every phase of their caregiving journey
Lotsa Helping Hands – organize meals and help for someone in need
Pearlpoint – caregiving tips, nutrition, caregiver handbook
Take Them A Meal – online meal coordination tool
National Cancer Institute Publications (download PDFs, ebooks, or Kindle version)
Coping with Advanced Cancer – information about dealing with transitions in care, communication with others, and end of life issues.
Facing Forward When Someone you Love Has Completed Cancer Treatment – support for Caregivers
Patient Power’s Care Partner Center– supporting care partners and other loved ones through education and advocacy
When Someone You Love Has Advanced Cancer – support for Caregivers
When Someone You Love Is Being Treated for Cancer – support for Caregiver
When Your Parent Has Cancer – A Guide for Teens
See Parenting & Fertility for more family resources.
Insurance, Managing Costs, and Financial Assistance Resources
Information about health insurance and disability insurance, support in managing finances and cancer costs during and after treatment. Many organizations offer financial assistance for cancer-related expenses including medications, co-pays, basic needs and other out-of-pocket expenses.
Insurance: Health Insurance, Disability Insurance
CancerCare – health insurance
CancerFinances.org – Cancer Finances, hosted by Triage Cancer, offers a toolkit for individuals diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers to understanding how cancer impacts their finances and connects them to financial assistance resources
Cancer Insurance Checklist – the Cancer Insurance Checklist is designed to help you when shopping for insurance on your state’s Health Insurance Marketplace if you have cancer, a history of cancer, or are at risk for cancer
Cancer Legal Resource Center – health insurance information
Healthcare.gov – marketplace health insurance
Patient Advocate Foundation – case management, co-pay relief, insurance guide
Triage Cancer – offers free educational resources including actionable information on topics such as health insurance, employment issues, finances, and more
Managing Costs
CancerCare – managing the costs of cancer care
Cancer Support Community – managing cancer costs, including medications
Managing Finances From CancerFinances.org
NCI’s Managing and Tracking Costs – tools to help understand your costs, health insurance, medical bills and statements. Learn tips to manage your costs
Financial Assistance
A Helping Hand – find assistance from organizations providing financial or practical help
Bankrate – cancer costs–resources and help to manage housing expenses during treatment
CancerCare – comprehensive information about financial assistance resources
Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition
College Consultants Care – provides FREE college application assistance and financial aid planning to students diagnosed with cancer or have a parent diagnosed with cancer
Cancer Support Community– a $250 relief grant for people with cancer who are in active treatment. The financial assistance will be limited to food, transportation, housing, utilities, childcare, or other non-medical expenses
Family Reach – dedicated to eradicating the financial barriers that accompany a cancer diagnosis, a widespread issue known as Cancer-Related Financial Toxicity (CRFT)
Medicine Assistance Tool– a search engine to help those with financial need get access to their prescription
Nancy’s List – resource list of integrative therapies and financial assistance
National Cancer Institute – listing of support organizations
Needy Meds – prescription assistance
Pan Foundation – out-of-pocket expense financial assistance
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Patient Advocate Foundation – co-pay relief and other financial assistance
RxHope – patient assistance program for medications
Legal Rights, Workplace, Advance Care Planning
Check out these organizations for topics related to work, healthcare rights, state and federal protections and benefit programs, and important legal documents to protect you and your loved ones.
Legal Rights
Cancer Legal Resource Center – information about legal rights regarding employment, health care, and government benefits
Cancer Legal Resource Center Patient Legal Handbook – information about cancer-related legal issues from diagnosis through survivorship
Patient Advocate Foundation – laws and protections in healthcare and employment
The Americans with Disabilities Act – legal rights for those with disabilities such as cancer
Triage Cancer – education on practical and legal issues that may impact those with cancer and their caregivers
Advance Care Planning
American Cancer Society – general information about different advance health care directives
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) – putting your health care wishes in writing
Cancer Legal Resource Center Patient Legal Handbook
Five Wishes – advance care planning program
Triage Center – estate planning resources for those coping with cancer and their caregivers
Workplace
Cancer and Careers – empowers and educates people with cancer to thrive in the workplace
Cancer Legal Resource Center Patient Legal Handbook – information about cancer-related legal issues from diagnosis through survivorship
Family Medical Leave Act – entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job- protected leave for specified family and medical reasons
The Americans with Disabilities Act – federal civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities such as cancer
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission – enforces Federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination
Triage Center – legal and practical resources to help navigate employment & workplace issues after a cancer diagnosis
Triage Center – animated video on managing side effects at work
Parenting and Fertility
These organizations offer support for families dealing with cancer, book lists and tips about talking to children about cancer, fertility and becoming a parent after a cancer diagnosis.
Parenting and Cancer
American Cancer Society – Helping Children When a Family Member Has Cancer
Billy’s Place (Arizona) – community, emotional support, support groups, grief, peer support
CancerCare for Kids – free workships, booklets, counseling, support groups for parents and children of all ages
Children’s Treehouse Foundation – books, videos, online activities for children of parents with cancer
Tu Nidito, No Child Grieves Alone (Arizona) – professional individual support, group support, grief
Yale Cancer Center – parenting tips
Camps and Retreats
ASCO List – list of camps and retreats
Camp Kesem – supports children through and beyond their parent’s cancer with fun year-round activities, events and a free weeklong summer camp.
CancerCare – list of camps and retreats
Little Pink House of Hope – people with breast cancer and family
Nancy’s List – list of retreats and camps for families
Needy Meds – list of camps and retreats
Project Athena Foundation – athletic adventures
Cancer Books
National Cancer Institute When Your Parent Has Cancer – A Guide for Teens
Susan G. Komen’s “What’s Happening to Mom” e-booklet
What Do I Tell the Kids (Cancer Support Community) – discussing cancer with children
When Someone You Love Is Being Treated For Cancer (download PDF, eReader or Kindle) – talking with children of different ages
When Your Brother or Sister Has Cancer
Yale Cancer Center Book List for Families and Children – cancer treatment, grief and loss
Wish Fulfillment
ASCO’s list of wish fulfillment organizations for children
Fertility
Livestrong Fertility – understanding fertility risks and options with a cancer diagnosis
The OncoFertility Consortium – fertility options for cancer survivors
Side-Effects
Information about possible side effects during and after cancer treatment and ways to manage them with the help of your healthcare team.
ASCO Answers Palliative Care (download PDF)
ASCO Cancer.Net – descriptions of side effects and how to cope with them
CancerCare – booklets and podcasts on coping with side effects from cancer treatment
Cancer.Net Mobile App – an app to track side effects from cancer treatment
Cook for Your Life – healthy cooking for those touched by cancer
National Cancer Institute Chemotherapy and You – discusses side effects from chemotherapy (download PDF, ePub, Kindle formats)
National Cancer Institute Eating Hints – before, during, and after cancer treatment (download PDF, ePub, Kindle formats)
National Cancer Institute Radiation Therapy and You – side effects from radiation therapy (download PDF, ePub, Kindle formats)
Pearlpoint – managing side effects
Patient Resource – Managing Cancer Pain (download PDF)
Pearlpoint Nutrition Consultation – (no charge)
Springboard Beyond Cancer – how to manage side effects
ASCO Answers Managing Cancer Pain – understanding and managing cancer pain (download PDF)
ASCO Cancer.net – types of complementary therapies to manage side effects
ASCO Cancer.net – long-term side effects of cancer treatment and how to manage them
National Cancer Institute – late side effects of cancer treatment and how to manage them
National Cancer Institute Pain Control – support for people with cancer
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health – definitions and research about complementary and integrative health methods
Pearlpoint Survivorship Handbook – late- and long-term side effects
Supportive Care (PEER MENTORS, SUPPORT GROUPS, ONLINE COMMUNITIES)
Supportive care helps with the psychological, physical, social, and spiritual effects of cancer, as well as practical needs. It can improve quality of life from the day of diagnosis. Many organizations offer their services at no charge for those with cancer and their caregivers and families.
Emotional Support
4th Angel Program – peer support
American Cancer Society’s Cancer Survivors Network – peer support, online discussion boardAmerican Cancer Society (ACS)
ASCO – finding a support buddy: list of support groups, online communities, peer support
CancerCare – online support groups and counseling
Cancer Hope Network – one-on-one cancer support
Cancer Support Community – online discussion board, helpline
Facing Our Cancer Risk Empowered – peer support, support groups,online community for hereditary cancer
Friend for Life Cancer Support Network – one on one matched cancer support
Imerman Angels – one on one cancer support
SHARE Cancer Support – national helpline, educational programs, support groups, online communities, caregiver support, and survivor-patient navigation for breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers
Susan G. Komen – Facebook private support group
Young Survival Coalition – Private Facebook group for young women with metastatic breast cancer, peer support
Grief
CaringInfo – grief and loss
Yale Cancer Center Book List – helping the family cope with grief
Palliative Care
ASCO Answers Managing Cancer Pain – understanding and managing cancer pain (download PDF)
ASCO Answers Palliative Care (download PDF)
CaringInfo – Palliative Care vs. Hospice Care
Get Palliative Care – request palliative care to relieve symptoms and stress and improve your quality of life.
National Cancer Institute Pain Control: Support for People With Cancer
Patient Resource – Managing Cancer Pain (download PDF)
Complementary and Integrative Therapies
American Cancer Society Complementary and Alternative Medicine – definitions and use in cancer care
CancerCare Meditation app – for iPhone
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health – definitions and research about complementary and integrative health methods
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health-Pain – Considering Complementary Approaches (eBook)
Survivorship
Cancer survivorship starts at diagnosis. These organizations offer information, tools, and programs to help with all aspects of life both during and after treatment.
Adventure Therapy Foundation – emotional restoration for families impacted by cancer
Cancer Hope Network – one on one cancer support
Cancer Support Community – multiple support options
Crossroads4Hope – A network of cancer support
Healthy Lifestyle, American Institute for Cancer Research
Imerman Angels – one on one cancer support
Jasper – app that gives you an overview of your cancer care at a glance
Livestrong at the YMCA: 12-week exercise program for cancer survivors
Lacuna Loft – online support programs for young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers
My Lifeline (part of Cancer Support Community) – tool for online connection with family and friends
National Cancer Institute’s Facing Forward – Life After Cancer Treatment (download PDF, epub or Kindle formats)
Patient Empowerment Network– Online resources to help patients find their voice at every step of their journey
Pearlpoint – nutrition by cancer type
Prevent Cancer Foundation – families and children
SHARE Cancer Support – national helpline, educational programs, support groups, online communities, caregiver support, and survivor-patient navigation for breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers
American Cancer Society Hope Lodge – for temporary housing
American Cancer Society Road to Recovery (Get a Ride to Treatment) – transportation assistance
ASCO Answers Guide to Cancer Survivorship – (download PDF)
ASCO Answers Palliative Care (download PDF)
ASCO Treatment Summary & Follow Up Care Plan
Ciitizen – helps you collect, summarize, and share your medical records digitally, free of charge
Cook for Your Life – healthy cooking for those touched by cancer
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health – definitions and research about complementary and integrative health methods
Pearlpoint – nutrition, follow up care, fear of recurrence, survivorship handbook
Pearlpoint Nutrition Consultation – no charge
Treatment Summary & Survivorship Care Plans OncoLink Survivorship Care Plan
Triage Cancer – Triage Cancer is a national, nonprofit organization that provides education on the practical and legal issues that may impact individuals diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers, through free events, materials, and resources. Triage Cancer offers free educational resources including our Quick Guides and Checklists, animated videos, charts of state laws, and an educational blog that provides actionable information on topics such as health insurance, employment issues, finances, and more.
Wildfire – A one-of-a-kind magazine and writing community designed with themes related to younger survivorship: body, mental health, fertility, parenting with cancer, career, identity after diagnosis, relationships and intimacy, and more.
While Bag It took efforts to collect materials only from nationally recognized, research-based publications, Bag It has not independently researched, verified, or otherwise confirmed the accuracy of any of the information provided. The links listed are not intended to be an endorsement of any information or services and should not be construed as medical, legal, or financial advice.